All about the group Siouxsie and the Banshees - the beginning of the path, breakthrough, collapse and influence
Siouxsie and the Banshees - a landmark for post-punk group, formed in the second half of 70s in London. The founders, as well as the only permanent members of the band throughout the entire creative journey, are Susie Sue (vocals) and Steve Severin (bass). Breaking into the British rock scene, the Banshees gradually perfected their sound: they brought to the world a unique kind of post-punk, skillfully seasoned with a variety of sonic experiments... They released a dozen albums and a couple of hit singles before announcing their breakup... It is worth noting that the Banshees greatly influenced both post-punk and alternative rock! It is their shades that can be found in creativity. Joy Division, The Cure, The Smiths and many other bands and artists...
The beginning of the journey and the formation
The group was formed ... quite by accident! It happened in autumn 1976 of the year. The first cast already included Sue and Severin. In addition to them, the team was supplemented Marco Pirroni and notorious John Simon Ritchie - future bassist of the Sex Pistolswho is widely known as Sid Vicious… Performing a chic improvisation "Our Father" in London 100 Club, the guys, of course, loudly declared themselves! After that, the team continued its march, though without Vicious and Pirroni ...
About a year later, the line-up was finally formed: it included a drummer Kenny Morris and guitarist John McKay.
Difficulties
Already towards the end 70s the group effortlessly collected huge halls, but ... the ideal contract for them was still not signed. Truly devoted fans were not too lazy, and even covered the walls of record companies with appeals "Sign Siouxsie Now!" The truth is, it didn't make any sense. Exactly like Sue's harsh remarks to the A&R employees ... Anchor, EMI, RCA, Decca - refusals flew from all sides. And only after a while she agreed to cooperate with the group. Polydor: The parties signed a contract for 3 records. It was this contract that allowed the Banshees to continue their existence, while most other punk bands were rapidly disintegrating ...
Early recordings
Debut album titled The Scream, saw the light of day in autumn 1978 of the year. She had an original sound, while the lyrics had extraordinary power and sharpness. Some critics agreed that it was the best debut album of the year... And indeed: Susie's chilling vocal tricks, the metallic roar of McKay's guitar were harmoniously intertwined... And the most prominent track, perhaps, was Hong Kong Garden:
second plate, Join Hands, had a more depressing mood ... As for the tracks, critics noted the uniqueness and atmospheric "Poppy Day", "Placebo Effect"as well as apocalyptic icon.
Betrayal on tour
Soon the group went on a promotional tour, however ... already on the third day Banshees faced great betrayal. Without telling anyone about your decision - just silently, as if it was supposed to be - Morris and McKay left the game. The guys just left their passes in the hotel room and fled…
It was a noisy concert in Aberdeen! First on stage The Scars, Then The Cure… Banshees were not in a hurry. They eventually showed up and Susie made a statement:
“Here two art college students hit the road ... If you meet them, consider that I have blessed you to beat the crap out of them!”
Sue and Severin continued touring with Robert Smith of The Cure and Budgie (he eventually became a permanent member).
The most interesting stages of creativity
The new composition of the Banshees released the first single "Happy House", and then a third album called Kaleidoscope. The record entered the UK Top 5 and marked a stylistic shift for the band... The Banshees' songs became softer, more rhythmic...
Album juju critics called the best in the band's career ... This intriguing, tense and rather depressing record allowed Susie unleash your vocal talent to the fullest...
During the subsequent tour Susie and Budgie founded their own project The Creatures: their most successful creation was the debut Feast.
Subsequently, the group released many records, including Tinderbox and filled with covers Through the Looking Glass…
Goodbye John McGeogh...
In 1982 coming out A Kiss in the Dreamhouse. Sue described the work as "very sexy", while the reviewer Melody Maker called her "drunk". In general, the record was received very warmly by critics! Some called it a "beautiful pop piece", others exclaimed in admiration, warning the listener that while listening A Kiss in the Dreamhouse “breathless…” However, this period was not so rosy for the Banshees…
As soon as the album came out, the state John McGeoch - the then guitarist of the group - deteriorated sharply: for a long time he suffered from alcohol addiction ... As a result of another promotional tour, the musician was hospitalized, and soon he was completely removed from the line-up.
Big hit stolen from the Beatles
Precisely at the urging Robert Smith Banshees recorded their biggest hit - a cover version of a Beatle song Dear Prudence!
Single released in September 1983 year, and very quickly climbed to number three on the UK Singles Chart! The track became a huge breakthrough for the Banshees: critics noted that it was Dear Prudence dispelled the gloomy aura around the team…
Decay and influence
In the mid-90s, the last album was released Banshees - respectable and mature in its sound The Rapture. The release turned out to be a clear success, but soon Polydor broke the contract. The initiative to disband the band came from Susie: so, having played their last concert at the Belgian Beach Festival, the Banshees ceased to exist.
Finally, it is worth adding that the group had a great influence not only on rock culture, but also on genre performers. One day Morrissey of The Smiths said:
"No modern band can compare to Siouxsie and the Banshees when they were at the top of Olympus..."
